The U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe urged American citizens to "shelter in place" early Wednesday as troops were seen in the streets of the capital amid rising political turmoil surrounding the country's 93-year-old president, Robert Mugabe.
The message from the embassy in Harare cited "ongoing political uncertainty through the night" and added the embassy would be closed to the public on Wednesday. The British embassy issued a similar warning, citing "reports of unusual military activity."
Shortly after the embassy statements, Zimbabwe's army sought to reassure the country that "this is not a military takeover" and that while Mugabe was safe and sound, the military was targeting "criminals around him" who have sent the nation spinning into economic despair.
The army took control of the state Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation late Tuesday and an army spokesman made the statement on air early Wednesday.
"As soon as we have accomplished our mission, we expect that the situation will return to normalcy," the army spokesman said, calling on churches to pray for the country.
It was not clear where Mugabe and his wife were early Wednesday. "Their security is guaranteed," the army statement said. The president reportedly attended a weekly Cabinet meeting Tuesday.
"We wish to make it abundantly clear that this is not a military takeover," the army statement said. "We are only targeting criminals around (Mugabe) who are committing crimes that are causing social and economic suffering in the country in order to bring them to justice."
Overnight, The Associated Press saw armed soldiers assaulting passers-by in Harare, as well as soldiers loading ammunition near a group of four military vehicles. The explosions could be heard near the University of Zimbabwe campus. The developments came several hours after the AP saw three armored personnel carriers in a convoy heading toward an army barracks just outside the capital.
Mugabe last week fired Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa and accused him of plotting to take power, including through witchcraft. Mnangagwa, who enjoyed the military's backing and once was seen as a potential president, fled the country and said he had been threatened. Over 100 senior officials allegedly supporting him have been listed for disciplinary measures by a faction associated with Mugabe's wife, Grace.
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